Emma Carlson Berne
Emma Carlson Berne served as the 2018 Writer-in-Residence.
Berne has lived in many places—Wisconsin, South Carolina, England and Israel. But the author, who was born in Clifton and raised in Wyoming, heeded the longing of her heart to return to Hamilton County ten years ago, where she embarked on a prolific career writing children's and young adult novels and nonfiction. That love for this city, and Berne's passion for writing and telling stories was the focus of her next big adventure as the 2018 Library Foundation’s Writer-in-Residence.
Berne holds an M.A. in Composition and Rhetoric from Miami University-Oxford and is the author of dozens of YA and children’s fiction and nonfiction books including Never Let You Go, the Star Wars Forces of Destiny series, the Beforever series from American Girl Publishing, the Cub Reporter Meets Famous Americans series, and the Laugh Your Socks Off! World’s Best (and Worst) Jokes series.
“One of my goals is to work with those who may feel that storytelling is not for them,” said Berne. “Over my many years as a writer, I have learned that writing is simply a set of tools and I’m excited to share those tools with others.”
2018 Writer-in-Residence Events
Office Hours With the Writer-in-Residence - Need help with your writing project or have an idea but are not sure how to get started? Have any question at all about your writing? Ask the Writer-in-Residence! Emma Carlson Berne will be at the Corryville Branch one Saturday a month from 10 a.m. to noon to look at your project, help you get started or answer your questions. Drop in with your finished work, a few notes, or just a blank piece of paper! Let's talk about your writing together.
January 20, 2018, 2 p.m. - Inside the Writer's Heads: Join Kurt Dinan, the 2017 Writer-in-Residence, and Emma Carlson Berne, the 2018 Writer-in-Residence, for a conversation about books and writing. Also, get a preview of Kurt's new novel!
March 24, 2018, 1 p.m. - From Inspiration to Draft: Preparing to Write a Manuscript: You have an idea. Maybe you even have a few scribbled notes. And you want to turn your idea into a book. But how transform the jottings on the back of that Kroger receipt into a full-length draft? Join Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne for this hands-on workshop that will cover the basics of inspiration, research, notes, character development, and the pros and cons of outlining. We will discuss both fiction and non-fiction. Bring your questions! Registration is recommended.
Saturday, June 23, 2018, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. - This Won't Hurt a Bit: Everything You Need to Know About Drafting a Manuscript: You’ve decided to do it! You’re going to write a book. Come to this workshop and get instruction on every stage of the manuscript-writing process. We’ll cover outlining, creating chapters, story arc and character development, as well as writer’s block and timelines. Discussion will include both fiction and non-fiction. Bring your questions! Will include Q & A session for all stages of the writing journey.
Saturday, June 23, 2018, 1-3 p.m. - This Won't Hurt a Bit: Everything You Need to Know About Drafting a Manuscript: You’ve decided to do it! You’re going to write a book. Come to this workshop and get instruction on every stage of the manuscript-writing process. We’ll cover outlining, creating chapters, story arc and character development, as well as writer’s block and timelines. Discussion will include both fiction and non-fiction. Bring your questions! Will include Q & A session for all stages of the writing journey. Registration is full. Join the waiting list and we will contact you if space becomes available.
Saturday, September 29, 2018, 1-3 p.m. - The Big, Hairy World of Book Publication: Revisions, Agents, Queries, Editors: You’ve written a book manuscript! You’re done! Right? If only. Join Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne to plunge into the often-scary, sometimes-hairy world of traditional book publishing. How do you write a query letter? What is a literary agent and what do they do? We’ll discuss all aspects of the book publishing process from revision to editing to publication and publicity. Registration is full.
Saturday, November 17, 2018, 1-3 p.m. - Burning Questions: Ask Anything and Everything about Book Writing and Publication: Participants are invited to bring a burning question about any aspect of book writing or publication. Ask about literary agents, revision, self-publishing, writer's block, drafting, handling rejection - anything goes. Alternatively, participants may bring a paragraph-length sample of their writing to read aloud and have critiqued.
